I know that you love playing video games and strive to become an e-sport athlete like Søren Bjerg and many others who have dedicated their lives to gaming, but if you do not take proper care of yourself, you won’t be able to do that. Your physical and mental health can dramatically impact the virtual performance in games.

Other than this, there are several other reasons why gamers should strive towards a healthier lifestyle, and the number one reason is obesity. Obese people usually have lower testosterone, lower reaction times and mental fogginess, and this is something that can interfere with the way you perform at video games.

The next one is posture. Some of the side effects of bad posture are back and shoulder pain, reduced lung capacity and so on. This can also affect your gaming performance; how will you defeat your enemies if your back is giving you a hard time?

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But, one of the worst injuries that gamers have to deal with are hand injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and this is all because they are not taking proper precautions. Some of the greatest players had to retire because of the severity of their injuries.

As a gamer, you have a responsibility to improve both your virtual and real life abilities. Staying healthy and in shape has numerous rewards for you, even in the virtual world, so this is why I have prepared this gamer’s guide with some simple and easy advice you can implement.

Take Breaks

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I know that you are excited to play games, especially new ones, but that does not mean that you need to spend your whole day in front of the screen. Staring at the screen for a long time is not only bad for your posture, but it can also lead to dry eyes, eye strain and even headaches. If you are starting to notice some of these health issues, you can look up online health care and get yourself checked without having to waste time at the hospital. Taking breaks from gaming is extremely important. So you can make a break every 15 to 20 minutes, whether it is just looking away from the screen, or preparing yourself a little snack.

Take Time to Prepare Healthy Meals

Just because your new game has you in its grips, it doesn’t mean that you should forget to eat properly. If you live with roommates or alone, the chances that you are responsible for preparing your own meals are big, so always take time and prepare yourself something healthy to eat before starting a gaming session.

It doesn’t have to be something complicated, you can always go for a bowl of soup or some healthy, easy to make salads, or you can get a little creative and recreate some meals from video games to make this more fun. It is important to take a break. Your body needs fuel, and if you skip on your meals, you will mess up your blood sugar levels. This causes mood swings and energy crashes.

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Substitute Unhealthy Snacks for Healthy Ones

I know that it is easy to eat your way to the bottom of a bag of chips while you are gaming, but these high sugar, high fat and highly salty snacks only damage your health. This can be called mindless munching, and it is a side effect of eating while gaming. This way, you can consume too much calories that can lead to weight gain and some other serious health issues like diabetes and various heart conditions.

Substituting unhealthy snacks with healthy ones can be a little difficult when you are in the middle of a battle, but you can always prepare your snacks in advance. Always choose fresh fruit, unsalted nuts, trail mix and even beef jerky is a healthier alternative to sugary snacks and crisps. If you want to consume some cereal bars to get that needed fuel, always choose those that are made from natural ingredients, with no added sugars.

Since you spend most of your days inside, you should take some time to do some home workouts and give your body a fitness boost. The best way would be to switch off the computer or console and go out for a run. But there are new games waiting for you, so I know that this is not going to happen. Any free time you manage to set aside should be used to do some simple home workouts, like exercises with easy to access products. These home exercises will improve your posture and they’ll counter the effects of prolonged sitting while gaming.

Don’t Forget To Have a Social Life

I bet you have heard those stories where some gamers became so addicted to gaming that they never went outside again; that they didn’t eat or sleep. I am not suggesting that you are this obsessive, but be true to yourself. How many times have you turned down some social invitations because of gaming? Spending all of your time alone will make you feel isolated, and that can affect your immune system and make you prone to stress. You see why it is important to have a social network of family and friends; you will deal with stress better. So, put down that controller or keyboard and mouse for a while and start making friendships in the real world.

You as a gamer have a responsibility to improve both your virtual and real-world abilities. By improving your physical self, you will receive numerous awards in the virtual world, and the best part is, you don’t have to be a wannabe be pro gamer to listen to my advice and apply it in your life. Staying healthy and in shape will have huge benefits, and not only in the world of bits.

12 Practical Tips To Stay Fit For Christmas

Christmas is approaching fast, and lots of people not only tend to ruin their usual diets, but they also gain a few extra pounds. Based on studies, the majority of people tend to gain additional weight during the holiday season that starts at the Thanksgiving Day and ends with the New Year celebrations. Excessive eating is claimed to be the main cause for the additional weight gain, but it is also due to lack of physical activity and exercise.

A lot of individuals out there tend to set aside their fitness routines during the holidays since they believe that they do not have enough time to perform their workouts. And because they feel guilty after the holiday season, most of the gyms and fitness centers are packed with fresh members. Always bear in mind that you can still enjoy the holidays and stay fit at the same time. If you want to stay fit during the holiday season, especially during Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, here are some useful tips that might help you:

1. Eat Before Heading Out

First, it is best that you eat something before heading out to visits, trips or family dinners. By doing so, you will no longer be tempted to eat a lot or overindulge yourself since you have already eaten. Skipping on meals is not a good idea either, because you will only be forced to eat more later.

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2. Select The Treats

Make sure to select the treats that you eat in a wise manner. You should choose something that you can only enjoy during the holiday season and not something that is readily available all the time.

3. Avoid Skipping Meals

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast! Even though it can be tempting to skip on certain meals, believing that it will make up for the treats you consumed in the previous day, don’t do it because it will only lead to counterproductive results.

4. Drink With Moderation

It is best to regulate your drinking since alcohol, coke or other juices will only add more calories to the ones you already eaten!

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5. Be Active

You should still perform your fitness routine whenever possible and if you can’t do that, simply walk more, park your car some distance away from the store or just use the stairs!

6. Get Out Of The House

Make the holidays a family affair and plan outdoor activities where everyone is involved. Even a snowball fight in the backyard will burn a lot of calories and will keep the children entertained.

7. Don’t Skip Your Strength Workouts

Always remember to perform your strength training in order to maintain that muscle mass you worked hard to get. You might be tempted to use lightweights and just do some cardio, but you can burn just as many calories by lifting weights. And with all of those extra stakes you had on the holiday meals, you might even gain some extra muscle. And this is much better than gaining some extra fat.

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8. Set Realistic Goals

You should set realistic exercise objectives. Aim for at least half an hour per day and you will be very happy when you will achieve that. If you plan one hour or more and not achieve it, you will only end up disappointed.

9. Enjoy Yourself

Also make sure to set realistic diet plans! Trying to restrain yourself totally from some foods will only make you eat more. Feel free to enjoy the treats that you really love, but in small portions.

10. Drink A Lot Of Water

This can satiate your appetite as well as keep you hydrated at all times. And it will also prevent a possible hangover if you overdo it with alcohol.

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11. Eat Less And More Often

Distribute your meals evenly throughout the day, and do not eat everything at once. Instead of having 2 enormous meals, have 5 small ones. Eat your dinner earlier and have a nice walk before going to bed.

12. Prioritize Your Workouts

Try to do them early in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping. This way you will also avoid remarks like “Oh, come on! It’s Christmas…”

So there you go! Twelve simple tips that will help you avoid gaining weight during the winter holidays, but will also allow you to enjoy yourself and have a great time with your loved ones.